Over the last two weeks, HSU has been investigating troubling allegations of hazing and excessive alcohol consumption at a recent party held by many members of our men’s soccer team.

We have concluded that a hazing incident did indeed occur. Furthermore, this incident placed the lives of two students in real jeopardy.

Because of this, I have decided to suspend the team’s 2012-13 season effective immediately. The team will not participate in any California Collegiate Athletic Association games or any University-sanctioned games for the entire academic year.

We have also begun an investigation of alleged hazing by members of the women’s soccer team. That investigation is in its early stages.

Given my understanding of what occurred with the men’s team, I am immensely relieved that all of the students involved are safe. I hope that the team discipline, along with individual disciplinary actions, send a clear message that this was unacceptable. Hazing is not tolerated at Humboldt State, not in Athletics and not in any other area.

It is vital that our student-athletes, and our entire campus community, understand the seriousness of the situation. Hazing is illegal, and it is prohibited by the student and student-athlete codes of conduct. It has no place at our University.

Going forward, we will be implementing a series of additional steps to ensure that students learn about the risks involved with hazing. I will insist that every unit on campus participate in this effort as appropriate, and that they do so cooperatively and seriously.

The full details of my decision can be downloaded here. Two good resources about hazing are the NCAA handbook on preventing hazing and StopHazing.org, an organization dedicated to ending hazing.